Blended

In Blended, Isabella navigates her parents' divorce and her mixed-race identity, feeling torn between two worlds until a traumatic event forces change.

In Blended, eleven-year-old Isabella navigates the complexities of a blended family that seems more divided than ever. With her parents recently divorced, she finds herself shuttling between two distinct worlds each week. One week, she lives with her father, his girlfriend, and her son in a suburban neighborhood where they are one of the few black families. The next week, she returns to her mother’s home, which is smaller but filled with love. This constant back-and-forth creates a sense of instability in Isabella's life, as she grapples with her identity and the expectations placed upon her by both sides of her family.

Isabella's struggle intensifies as her parents' disagreements escalate, often revolving around her. Caught in the middle, she feels the weight of their conflicts and the implications of her mixed-race heritage. Comments from strangers about her appearance leave her questioning her identity: “You’re so exotic!” and “What are you really?” These remarks highlight her internal battle as she tries to reconcile her dual heritage and the feeling of being torn between her parents. The narrative delves deep into what it means to belong to two worlds and the challenges of feeling whole when society often views her as only half of each.

The situation reaches a critical point when Isabella and her friend Darren are confronted by the police, leading to a traumatic event that forces her family to confront their divisions. In Blended, Sharon M. Draper skillfully explores themes of identity, belonging, and the quest for unity in the face of adversity, making it a poignant read for both children and adults alike.